A proposed Nevada Assembly measure aimed at creating a “black book” listing poker players banned from the state’s regulated online sites has failed to advance. Assembly Bill 380 was unable to clear its initial committee hurdle, missing a critical cutoff date for new legislation.
📝 The Proposal
The bill’s original form called for the creation of an online-poker “black book,” similar to Nevada’s renowned black book of individuals banned from the state’s live gambling venues. This would have created a formal list of players suspended or banned for violations such as cheating.
However, Caesars Entertainment, the parent company of WSOP.com, the sole regulated online poker site in Nevada, opposed the measure. Executives argued that the black book would place the company at risk of significant legal and financial burdens.
⚖️ Amendments and Outcome
Following an April 5 hearing with the Assembly Judiciary Committee, AB 380 was amended to soften its provisions, removing some aspects that Caesars viewed as problematic. Despite this, the bill missed the legislative deadline, effectively ending its path forward for the 2023 session.
While AB 380 has died, the larger issue of transparency in online poker remains unresolved. Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager, who had supported the bill, pointed to concerns about cheating on regulated online poker sites and the lack of a legal redress channel for players who learn they’ve been cheated.
📋 Bill’s Impact
AB 380 would have created a list of players with interactive gaming accounts who had been suspended or banned for cheating, which the Nevada Independent briefly covered in its report. The publication also highlighted that Caesars is the only company currently operating an online poker site in Nevada.
Despite its failure, the debate over transparency and player protection on online poker sites in Nevada is far from over. Notably, Jon Ralston, the founder of Nevada Independent, has a personal connection to the bill: his wife, Sara Cholhagian Ralston, a pro poker player and former state official, was instrumental in drafting AB 380 in collaboration with several members of the Judiciary Committee.
